Hyder Consulting yesterday said that trading in the first quarter had been in line with its expectations, and order intake had been good, reflecting strong trading conditions in most of its markets.

In a trading statement, the company added that the integration of recent acquisitions BTP, Cresswells and Munnich was progressing well.

Hyder, an engineering design and management consultancy, also announced a deal to buy Chinese master planning and architecture consultancy ACLA from Jetside, a Hong Kong-based company.

Hyder will initially pay £3.25 million for ACLA, with an additional £2.1 million due over three years, dependent on performance.

Tim Wade, Hyder chief executive, said the purchase "will increase our critical mass in Asia and boost our growth in China," and indicated the company was studying further acquisitions.

Last month Hyder revealed that a focus on green schemes had prompted a major expansion at its Birmingham office.

Chris Evans, Aston-based area director, said staffing levels in the city had shot up in the last three years from 80 to 170.

That was largely driven by a strategy to boost its advice work on sustainability and new environmental projects. Staff from the Birmingham office were playing a part in what will be the world's tallest building - the 800 metre Burj Tower in Dubai - by backing the Middle Eastern division.

Pretax profit for the year ending on March 31 grew to £8.3 million from £2.6 million as sales rose 26 per cent to £171.3 million from £136.2 million a year earlier.